No trip to the Bahamas is complete without a visit to Paradise Island. Technically part of the country’s capital, Nassau, Paradise Island is a lush resort island around 1.1 square miles in size. However, despite being geographically tiny, there’s no shortage of things to do in Paradise Island.
From basking in the sun on world-famous beaches to touring a luxury yacht harbor, Paradise Island is full of swanky sites that are fun to explore no matter what type of traveler you are. Even if you’re just in Nassau for a few days, you can still find time to pop over to Paradise Island and maybe visit some of the other islands in the country. After all, as an archipelago, the Bahamas has 700 islands — all of which are beautiful!
In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the can’t-miss things to do in Paradise Island. Keep reading to learn about all the top places to visit on your Bahamas vacation!
Four Fun Things to Do in Paradise Island
1. Soak up the Sun at Cabbage Beach
Travelers visiting Nassau have no shortage of beaches to choose from. Junkanoo Beach, Cable Beach, and Love Beach all feature stunning expanses of powdery white sand that clashes vividly with the turquoise blue water. While you should make time to visit all of them, no day trip to Bahamas is complete without a stop at Cabbage Beach.
Located on the north side of Paradise Island, Cabbage Beach is the quintessential Bahamian beach. It features everything a beachgoer could ever want — swaying palms, sand to sink your toes into, and picture-perfect views of the ocean.
Cabbage Beach may take home the prize for “Best Paradise Island Beach.”
In general, the farther east you go on this Paradise Island beach, the quieter and more secluded it gets. Make sure to bring a mask and snorkel, as you’ll stumble upon several rocky sections that make perfect tropical snorkeling locations. You can even go water skiing, diving, or parasailing, if you’re into water sports.
All of that makes Cabbage Beach one of the top things to do in Nassau Bahamas and Paradise Island!
2. Visit Atlantis Resort & Aquaventure
As mentioned, Paradise Island is perhaps best known for being a resort island. And, while it houses many fantastic and upscale Paradise Island resorts, none are as famous as Atlantis. With everything from a hotel and aquarium to a waterpark and beaches, there are so many great things to do in Atlantis Bahamas, making it another one of the top things to do in Paradise Island.
Make time for the Paradise Island Lagoon at Atlantis!
Atlantis Resort
The Atlantis resort is massive, built around a 100-acre waterscape. Because of its size, you have several different accommodations to choose from. Some of the most popular ones include:
- The Beach: A more budget-friendly option that doesn’t sacrifice any amenities or experiences
- The Cove: An upscale hotel nestled between two private beaches that’s great for those looking to indulge
- The Reef: A “home-away-from-home” option that offers studios and suites
- The Coral: The perfect accommodation option for families since it’s near many of the best things to do in Paradise Island
- The Royal: The iconic Atlantis towers, the best place to stay if you want to be steps away from all the sites Atlantis Paradise Island has to offer
Atlantis will always be one of the top Paradise Island resorts.
If you don’t plan on staying at one of the Atlantis resort facilities, a visit is still a fantastic idea. You can enjoy Aquaventure Waterpark, aquariums, pools, and many of the other resort facilities by purchasing a day pass, making Atlantis one of the top things to do in Nassau on a cruise.
Atlantis Marina
Boat fans looking for things to do in Paradise Island should make time to visit the Atlantis Marina. It can cater to ships up to 240 feet in length, making it the premier marina in the Bahamas.
The chance to see megayachts is another reason why Atlantis is one of the top Paradise Island resorts.
Feel free to moor your boat here, if you have one, as the Atlantis Marina provides you with easy access to Nassau Harbor. Otherwise, you’re welcome to walk around and admire the powerboats, sailboats, and mega yachts!
Atlantis Marina Village
Shopping around Marina Village is always one of the top Paradise Island activities.
Most travelers looking for things to do in Paradise Island want to do a bit of shopping, and Marina Village is the place to do it.
The “village” is essentially an outdoor shopping mall, offering you the chance to purchase everything from beach towels and jewelry to clothes and snorkeling supplies. If you’re craving luxury goods, you can even find a few luxury stores, such as Versace and John Bull. With a bit of searching, you can also find the perfect gift to give to your friends and family members back home!
3. Go Swimming With Pigs
While there are many great Paradise Island activities, don’t forget that the Bahamas is an island nation and that you’d be missing out if you didn’t explore some of the other beautiful parts of the country.
Located 82 miles southeast of Nassau and Paradise Island is Big Major Cay, or as most people know it, Pig Island. One quick stop at the island is all you need to understand where its name originates from — the island is home to around 20 pigs and piglets.
If you’re ever looking for things to do in Nassau on a cruise, the Exuma pigs are just a flight away!
What makes the pigs at Pig Beach special is that they live alone on the island. With the exception of a few cats and goats, there aren’t any other creatures on the island, including humans. So how did they get there?
While there are several stories surrounding their origins, the most likely version holds that residents of Staniel Cay who were unhappy with their smells brought the pigs to the nearby island in the early 1990s. Farmers would then travel back to Pig Island to feed them, causing the pigs to associate boats with food.
Today, the pigs attract millions of visitors a year. People come from all over to swim alongside them, explore the stunning Pig Beach, and of course, take loads of pictures.
When you sign up for a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour with Bahamas Air Tours, you get flown out to the island in a luxurious private-class plane. There are no afternoon-long boat rides to worry about — in 30 minutes, you arrive at Staniel Cay and then have plenty of time to see the swimming pigs and so many other sites.
4. Explore the French Cloisters
The French Cloisters and Versailles Gardens are another one of the top Paradise Island attractions. Although they arrived in Nassau in the 1920s, the Cloisters are actually the remains of a 13th-century French monastery. After arriving on the island, workers reconstructed them stone by stone. Today, in combination with the stunning ocean views behind them, the Cloisters are one of the best Paradise Island sites to see.
You can’t go wrong with stopping at the French Cloisters on your Bahamas vacation!
On top of stunning, Old World architecture, the site allows you to walk around the Paradise Island Versailles Gardens. With bright, vivid colors, overflowing flower beds, and lush lawns, a walk through the gardens is something that all visitors to Paradise Island should experience.
While you can view the Versailles Gardens and Cloisters from the street, you can’t walk among them unless you’re staying at the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort. Consider spending a night there just to get the chance to appreciate them and to enjoy the amenities that the luxury hotel has to offer!
Enjoy All the Top Things to Do in Paradise Island
Given the number of Paradise Island attractions, there’s no shortage of things to do in Paradise Island. All of the sites mentioned above are fun and worthwhile stops on any Bahamas vacation.
While Staniel Cay day trips may not be Paradise Island activities, they’re still one of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas. A trip with Bahamas Air Tours lets you explore the majestic Exumas. You get the chance to swim with pigs, get up close and personal with sharks, see endangered iguanas, and do so much more — all while flying and traveling in luxury and comfort.
Sign up for a tour today!
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